Constitution of Properties Through Relations: Why Some Properties Belong to a Relation and Not to the Output Alone
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This conceptual paper introduces Constitution of Properties Through Relations, the relation through which properties such as authorization or source independence consist in connections among actors, sources, permissions, and actions. Outputs that match in their intrinsic features can differ in these properties because the relevant relations differ. The paper assesses these claims by specifying the constituting conditions and showing that they held. Outputs can carry reliable evidence of relevant relations. Some properties concern permissions and rules; others concern factual dependencies among sources. Disputed interpretations of the required conditions must remain explicit. The discussion relates the account to Nissenbaum’s contextual integrity and examines Van Buren v. United States (2021). The majority and dissent disagreed about the relations relevant to “exceeds authorized access” under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The case does not settle how authorization should be defined elsewhere. Part of the Constitution, History, and Standing series within On Human Modeling, the paper offers questions about relational evidence, attribution, and who can contest a classification. Its framework can inform human–AI research on whether systems assess authorization, independence, and standing using evidence about the relevant parties and conditions.
Author: Cary, Alexandra
Language: English
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225753870
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